dry shampoo - my thoughts on the grocery store varieties

i have a love hate relationship with dry shampoo.

i love it because i am trying to wash my hair less (i am currently able to go 3-4 days between washings), but i hate it because a lot of the choices either leave me looking like an 80 year old gray-haired woman or i have to go outside to spray it because it smells so... toxic.  i also hate that the one i would really like to try is way out of my budget.

not that you will care, but because this is my blog and i can, i'm going to review the available grocery store products and tell you which is my favorite.  here are the contenders:

just to make sure we are all on a level playing field here, i am going to sum up the best way to use dry shampoo IMO.  

• i don't like to use any dry shampoo on my hair until at least the day after i washed my hair.  some people spray it on as soon as they wash their hair, but i think it is unnecessary.
• always hold the can at least 6-8 inches away from your noggin.... believe me on this one!
• when spraying, don't spray your hair, spray at your scalp.
• first, shake that can like your life depends on it.  I think the white stuff in it settles to the bottom, so you'll need to shake it well before you start AND between each spray.
• then spray a steady but light amount in your actual part.  use your blow dryer and a brush and blow/brush for a few seconds to get rid of any white dust that appears.  also, this kind of gives your hair some body.
• shake the can again and then take a section of hair just beyond either side of your part, spray your new "part" and then blow dry and brush lightly.  i like to blow and brush the hair the "wrong way". again, this creates some lift and volume.  leave it hanging the wrong way for a few minutes or hit it with a shot of cold air from your dryer to set it.
• again, repeat with the other side of your "normal" part.
• finally, repeat with the crown of your head.  i usually do two sections back here. i couldn't really think what to call it, so i took a picture.  i pointing to the top/back of my head and i've already pulled up a section.

now on to my reviews of the grocery store dry shampoo products that i have used.  please note: if you have blonde hair, the white specks and white dust that i will reference in my reviews of each product might not be as big of a deal for you than it is for my brunette self.  

#1 (in the picture above) suave professionals dry shampoo spray; beautiful clean

pros:

• doesn't smell like you are fumigating your house. 
• has a pretty pleasant smell.
• doesn't leave hardly any white specks or dust in your hair.
• hair will last at least 2 days before needing another washing.

cons:

• need a little spray touch-up daily

#2 - next up is suave professionals keratin infusion dry shampoo 

pros:

• when following the directions, it will leave a few white specks in your hair, but they are easily removed with a brush and blow dryer combination.
• controls the oil in your hair well.
• can usually get one more day of unwashed hair

cons:

• get ready to put your gas mask on when you spray it.
• when following the directions, it will leave white specks in your hair, but they are easily removed with a brush and blow dryer combination.
• unless you spray a lot of it (leaving lots of white specks), your hair can still look a little greasy and flat.
• have to use daily until i wash my hair.

#3 - is tresemme fresh start waterless dry shampoo

 pros:

• doesn't smell bad, doesn't smell good.
• works really well at controlling oil.
• adds body to your hair at the roots.
• can usually get 2 more days of unwashed hair.
• only need to use it once until i wash my hair again.

cons:

• doesn't smell bad, doesn't smell good.
• it leaves a ton of white dust in your hair, which takes a lot of work to get out. sometimes i can't get it all out and i end up scratching my head all day....

in conclusion...
my favorite right now is #1 (i promise i didn't plan it that way!)  i like that it has a pleasant smell and that it doesn't leave a lot of white dust in my hair.  plus it does what it is supposed to.